Broward County will be taking back its park in the Everglades, the well-loved Everglades Holiday Park that has been privately run for 30 years.

In this video you'll see one of the people who live there in a campground, Justin Hiteshew. The county will have to evict the folks who live there, because none of the people I talked to Friday said they'd be leaving voluntarily until a deputy shows up.

My full story is on the jump.

By Brittany Wallman

Sun Sentinel
A remote park in the Everglades that’s part Old Florida campground, part tourist trap will become Broward County’s newest regional park soon, offering an official county destination as far from the beaches as it is different.

A longterm lease on Everglades Holiday Park, west of U.S. Hwy. 27 and Griffin Road, ends next year. And the county is taking its park back.

Out here at the park, the very thought of it causes skin to crawl. County officials say they’ll modernize it. At the park, modernize is a code word for “ruin.”

Indeed, Broward County’s designs on Everglades Holiday Park set up a culture clash that will reach a crescendo in the coming six months.

On the one side will be Broward parks and recreation officials and county commissioners in suits speaking in Fort Lauderdale offices about master plans and interactive educational displays. On the other will be people like Justin Hiteshew, who stood outside the park’s convenience store Friday wearing an alligator-tooth necklace and talking about cherishing the park the way it is.

“They’re going to ruin what it is,’’ he said, “the gateway to the Everglades. They’re going to come put new buildings and make it modern. And this is how it’s been since the early ‘60s.’’

Everglades Holiday Park is hugely popular with outdoorsmen and –women. Bass fishing tournaments are held here regularly, duck hunters access the Everglades marshes during duck season. Tourists from all over the world experience the Everglades on airboat tours and then watch alligator wrestler Chris Gillette manhandle the gators.

Bird watchers and frog giggers and all kinds of others whom the county calls “Gladesmen’’ use this park and enjoy its ample parking, boat launches, food, cold beer, bait and campground.

The county owns the land and has leased it for the past three decades to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which in turn leased it to Bridges Inc., to operate the concessions. All that comes to an end in June, when the concessions lease runs out.

Broward County commissioners say the park will then be brought up to county standards, with the same amenities, even 24-hour access, but cleaner and better. That doesn’t sit well with folks who think things here are just fine already.

“If I had a cat or a dog,’’ Broward Mayor Sue Gunzburger said last week in the county’s Fort Lauderdale offices, “I don’t even know if I’d let them eat there.’’

Already, rumors are popping up that Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry is seeking to tamp down.

“Someone said we’re going to have a carnival ride or something,’’ Henry said. “ We’re not looking to do anything like this. We want it to retain the rustic nature of what goes on there. But we just need to bring the amenities up to today’s standards.’’

There’s one other big problem Broward commissioners see: “squatters.’’ That’s what some call the people who live at the campground.

Hiteshew is one of them, and like the other campground residents, he never leaves. The campsites aren’t free. The charge to the public is $576 per month for a full water, sewer and electricity hookup. But there’s no maximum stay.

That makeshift community must be cleared out in 2012, county officials said. The county’s vision is for rentable resort-style cabins, with air conditioning.

For camping, not year-round living.

The campground has such permanence now, that a Broward County school bus comes each weekday morning to get three kids, school offices confirmed.

Many of the park’s 30 employees live at campsites in this 29-acre tract of Broward marsh, canals and sawgrass. Life’s circumstances, the allure of Old Florida and the tenacity to tolerate mosquitoes have led them here.

Hiteshew had a good job welding, he said, and a nice trailer in Davie. But then economy soured, his job dried up, and now he lives and works at the park.

“I have nowhere to go,’’ he said, “unless someone gives me $10,000 and a truck so I can tow my camper. … I’m here until the last minute.’’

That minute isn’t far off. Five years ago, Broward officials warned users of the park this day was coming.

The county hosted a meeting for input. As county commissioner Lois Wexler remembered it, the room was set up with tables with pencils and paper on top, and participants were asked to map out what they’d like to see in a park master plan.

Nothin’ doin’.

Wexler said the “aggressive’’ crowd wasn’t about to help government engineer something they loved out of existence.

“They were in there in torn T-shirts, I mean it was really earthy,’’ she said. “I don’t want to judge people. But it was scary for me. I’m a city girl.’’

Wexler will ask for security for the next meeting. She said she is worried park residents and others who don’t want Everglades Holiday Park disturbed will be in an uproar when they learn that changes have been made to the master plan since they last saw it. She said she’s worried, too, that people who live here, who she said will become “homeless’’ when Sheriff’s Office deputies show up to evict them, haven’t been sufficiently warned.

She is insisting another public meeting be held in the very near future, though nothing has been scheduled yet.

“There is going to be an outcry,’’ Wexler said. “The ultimate decision is ours, but how it transitions is critically important.’’

Gunzburger said she understood her fellow commissioner’s point about getting more input from people who love the park the way it is, but said, “I don’t want to let them dictate the future.”

Comments

That park is a tourism gold mine being run like a dump through no fault of the people there. They get much less business than they should because it needs a total make over. I see no reason why the county can't professionalize the location so more tourists would come and visit the Everglades. I also see no reason why the existing personnel can't be retained to work at that renovated park location. Whether they can continue living there is a separate question. But if the people working at this location are good workers then keeping them on board seems to be the right thing to do and I would seriously doubt that Broward County has any intent on firing them for no reason.

The county is not broke. The county has ample reserves and is has the same financial challenges we are all enduring. But it is not broke by any measure and that park is a dump that needs to be brought into standard. It is the most red neck, trailer trash, low life asset the county owns.

The disrespect for working poor people is amazing that is true. BUT this is a county PARK that the current management has turned into low rent housing - and that is not what the majority of tourists and Broward residents want to vactation next to.

Why does the Jewish commissioner club want to sterilize it ? It would certainly be a financial loser on paper like everything they touch whilst their pockets are secretly bulging with cash from dirty deals.
I suspect ultimately it may be a needed foot hold to start developing west of 27.

So sick of these self important, greedy, underhanded, badly in need of makeovers county tyrants whom could not function in performance based jobs.

THIS IS GREAT IM HAPPY THIS PLACE IS GOING TO HAVE SOME CHANGE. THIS PLACE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND FIXED UP SOME OF THE FISHING PEERS LOOK VERY DANGEROUS AND SOME ONE COULD GET HURT ME AND MY FAMILY JUST WENT TO EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK AND MY HUSBAND ALMOST FELL DOWN BECAUSE PART OF THE BOARD WAS STICKING UP. MY KIDS WANT TO FISH THEIR BUT I WON'T LET THEM BECAUSE IT NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO WALK OR STAND ON THE PEER. SOME OF THE STAFF THEIR IS VERY RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO CUSTOMERS . BY YELLING SCREAMING AND CURSING AT MOTHERS IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN FOR TAKING PICTURES IN FRONT OF A CAR THAT WAS NOT EVEN HIS. THIS PLACE NEEDS MORE RESPECTFUL EMPLOYEES OR THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES NEED TO TAKE SOME ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES AND LEARN HOW TO TREAT WOMEN AND CHILDREN OR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY OTHER EMPLOYEES WELL EVERY BODY GETS YELLED AT ( REALLY A 9 YEAR OLD CHILD AND HIS MOM) . MY FAMILY AND I ARE SHOCKED AND VERY HURT BY HOW WE WERE TREATED HERE BY THE CURRENT STAFF BECAUSE THIS IS A PLACE WE LOVE TO VISIT TO SEE THE WILD LIFE. THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME FREE AIRBOAT RIDES TICKETS BUT I DID NOT WANT THEM. BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO BUY MY OWN TICKETS WITH MY OWN MONEY. WHAT I WANTED WAS RESPECT AND A SINCERE APOLOGY TO ME AND MY FAMILY. BUT THE DISRESPECT WAS SO BAD THAT WE JUST LEFT. I NOW FEEL LIKE I WAS BEING TREATED THIS WAY BECAUSE OF MY RACE.

I agree with Denise the employee's are disrespectful to the very hand that feeds them. I was told by an airboat captain that he would run me over because I was idling my boat too slow. It was a idle zone. The management is non existing at the park. I would rather someone took over the lease that would repair the docks & have respect for the people that bring the money to the park. Either way it can't get worse than it is! Clean house.

My husband and I were there to visit in May 2012. While the place could use some updates, it still needs to remain somewhat "rustic". We enjoyed our airboat ride and everyone was friendly and courteous. I don't think the county should do a complete takeover. The folks working/volunteering there are good people and should be able to remain and carry on their work. Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle isa what brought us to the park. If it hadn't been for their televison show, Gator Boys, we wouldn't have ever known about the place. I love the show and I wish them the best outcome for the future of Holiday Park. If I had the finances, I would help them in a heart beat, but we are pretty much like everyone else these days.

If Broward County wants to spend money, they should ask the Gator Boys what they can do for them. Paul and Jimmy and all of the volunteers are doing so much to preserve the wildlife in our county. Their rescue group must never be interrupted by anyone. I have never seen anyone so dedicated to saving Florida's alligators. They are on call 24 hours a day and are keeping Broward County residents safe from alligators and Broward County's alligators safe from trappers. They are amazing people. Please do not stop their efforts.

I hope the county understands the amount of publicity the Gater Boys bring. Not to mention the efforts to keep alligators off the endangered list. They want to help ask what they can do.for them use the tax dollars for something that needs it. Upgrade the park to help them not to kick them out to bring more "beauty " to the place. Her in Texas we have started to keep sections roped off to preserve wild life so my kids can see what the area was like before we civilised it. Keep the Gater Boys bring alligators to rescue and rehabilitation. So our children can see what they in wildlife and not another dodo bird situation. If its a potion you the county needs were can i sign!!!!!!

My husband and I went to Holiday park because we love the tv show Gator Boys. They do the best work with those alligators. Broward county needs to leave them alone or just give them the money to fix the stuff up. They are the most rustic and informational park that we have ever been to.

My family loves the show Gator Boys and their efforts to save alligators. We want to come visit. We vacation in Florid every year. I pray that the County and Holiday park can reach an agreement. Keep Paul and Jimmys dream alive!! Sure upgrading couldn't hurt as long as the environment integrity is the main focus. Not harming any wildlife r habitat they live in. Conservation is key not a dream.

My family and I have lived in davie for 41 years
This park is very rustic and natural I grew up there fishing
Never had a problem with any staff. The county
Should respect the park for what it is. We lost the
Hollywood speedway years ago to a lost lease and we all know
What's there now. I hope the plans are not the same for the last
Untouched park we have.

Hi! I don't live in Florida but am planning to visit in the near future to see the Gator Boys alligator show. This is the sole purpose of our trip. I just love alligators and am so happy with the work Paul Bednard and Jimmy Riffle dining saving the alligators from trappers. These alligators have a right to live just as humans do and Paul and Jimmy are making this possible. Please keep the park as is and let the Gator Boys continue their outstanding compassionate rescue at Holiday Park. I'm with every one else I'd there is a legitamite fund to donate to keep the Gator Boys going God bless you Paul and Jimmy and your crew for the work you do! Carol

Sorry for the misspelled words in my previous comment. I did it from my phone But please keep Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle and their crew at Holiday Park I want to come see their show and hold a baby alligator Carol

I was at the park with my 5 year son earlier this year to see the gator boys. One of the airboats disembarked it's passengers and the captains was very Agitated that the tips were not coming in as he expected and started yelling at the passengers. ( I guess your tour was pretty shitty, THANKS FOR APPROVAL!) then he could be heard talking to someone else at the dock on how cheap these f-in people are who come to the park.

Now I understand why this type of behavior was acceptable. The Transients that lived at the park worked at the park. With the county coming in, I think that there will be a better work environment for the employees and visitors as there will be accountability for your actions. The county needs to set up the employment that is controlled by the proper management team to curb this type of disrespectful treatment of guess at the park. My son and I witness this and I needing to explain to him why the man said what he said.

Now that the permanent campers are gone maybe my family will camp out at the park instead of going to the everglades national park.

There is something that needs to be said, The gators boys needs to be given the resources by the county to help continue what they are successfully doing. I think, the county backing this program will help it to be a positive approach to everglades conservation!
.

I am a film maker born and raised here in Broward county. I recently visited Everglades Holiday Park to get some footage for a documentary I am producing on Global warming awareness. I boarded one of the air boats and took the one Hour tour into the everglades I was happy with the tour as well as the service I received. I left my coupon at home and the cashier had no problem printing one for me, and it happen to be my lucky day because they were feeding the gators so I got to see one of the handlers in the encloser with the alligators. It was an all around nice experience.
While doing more research I found out about the situation with the county take over and was told that the ''Gator boys '' T.v Show will be moving to Mississippi for the next season. As a student film maker I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for me since I need something strong for my portfolio and demo reel. I want to show my ability to report Un-biased information while using my skills as a Producer, Director and all around Videographer to educate the public on what is going on in our world, Our county, Our back yard.
I plan to visit Everglades Holiday park this weekend to get some opinions from the public as well as store employees on the County's Take over of Holiday Park. I will also be Interviewing a representative of the parks and recreation division and or a commissioner,Mayor or any public official willing to shed light on this topic. If you are interested feel free to email me @ cedd09@yahoo.com or call me 954-867-8739

Broward county has a living wage ordinance in place that states that these employees should be making $12.57 with out insurance and 11.57 with insurance instead they treat all there employees like there stupid and only pay them $7.67 for a place that makes over $15,000 a day shouldnt be looking for loop holes in the law . frank crum is said to be responsible for this .. aka dont give your bids to frank crum and the manager tammy does not have a voice for her employees

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About the authors

Broward County is an unusually rich territory for political news. The Broward Politics blog is devoted to the politicians, the activists, the parties, the policies, the issues, the elections - in the county and its communities.

ANTHONY MAN is the Sun Sentinel’s political writer. Concentrating on local political people, parties and trends, he also covers state and national politics from a South Florida perspective. He's coordinating the Broward Politics blog with contributions from reporters throughout the county. Before moving to the Broward political beat, he covered politics and Palm Beach County government for the Sun-Sentinel, including touch-screen voting and the Supervisor of Elections Office. He's also covered municipal, county, state, and federal elections and made repeated reporting trips to Tallahassee for regular and special sessions of the Florida Legislature. He joined the Sun-Sentinel in 2002 after covering state and local politics in Illinois. Like so many others in South Florida, he's originally from a New York suburb (Rockland County).

BRITTANY WALLMAN covers Broward County and news. A 1991 University of Florida graduate, Wallman started her journalism career at the Fort Myers News Press. She and her husband Bob Norman have two young children -- Creed and Lily. Wallman was born in Iowa and spent half her childhood there, the remainder in Oklahoma. She has covered local government and elections her entire reporting career -- including covering the infamous 2000 recount here in the presidential election. (She has a Mason jar with a "hanging chad'' inside to prove it.)

LARRY BARSZEWSKI covers Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. In the past, he has reported on Palm Beach County government and schools, aging and social issues, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and state legislative sessions. He wrote for the Denver Post, Bradenton Herald and Miami Herald before joining the Sun Sentinel in 1988. A Massachusetts native, he lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Maggie, and teenage daughters Jessica and Jackie.